The Header and Contact Block
The header is the first impression. It should be clean, professional, and scannable. Every element should serve a purpose: establishing your identity and making you easy to contact.
What Goes in the Header
- Full name: Largest text on the page (12-14pt, bold). This is your only design showcase, make it legible and prominent.
- Email: firstname.lastname@domain.com format. Use a professional email address. Avoid nicknames or outdated domain names.
- Phone: Include your primary number only.
- City/State: Not a full mailing address. "Baltimore, MD" or "New York, NY" is sufficient.
- Portfolio URL: This is essential. Link to your online portfolio, personal website, or architecture portfolio platform (Archinect, Adobe Portfolio, etc.). A hiring manager who cannot easily find your work will move to the next candidate.
- LinkedIn (optional): Only include if your profile is complete and up-to-date. Most hiring managers will search for you anyway.
Example Header Format
baltimore, md | 410-555-0123 | maya.rodriguez.design.com | linkedin.com/in/mayarodriguez
COMMON MISTAKE: Including a full mailing address (it is not necessary and wastes space), listing multiple phone numbers, adding decorative lines or icons, or including "Objective: To obtain a position in architecture." Every line in the header should serve one purpose: help the reader contact you or find your work.
Before and After
JAMES CHEN
123 Oak Street, Apartment 4B, Baltimore, Maryland 21218
Phone: (410) 555-0123 | Cell: (410) 555-0124 | Email: jchen1997@yahoo.com | jchen.wix.com
____________________________
Objective: To obtain an entry-level position at an architecture firm where I can apply my design and technical skills.
JAMES CHEN
baltimore, md | 410-555-0123 | jameschen-design.com | linkedin.com/in/jameschen
The Portfolio Link Is Non-Negotiable
Your portfolio URL is the bridge between your resume and your work. If a hiring manager cannot click through and access your portfolio within 5 seconds, they will not spend the time searching for it. Test your link before submitting. Make sure it loads quickly, displays well on desktop, and showcases your strongest work.
PRO TIP: Use a custom domain or a clean portfolio platform URL if possible. "maya.rodriguez.design.com" or "jameschen-design.com" looks more professional than "jameschen.wix.com" or "jchen.squarespace.com." This is worth the small investment in a custom domain.